Nectar360, which owns and operates Nectar, the platform powering Sainsbury’s and Argos’ loyalty schemes, has announced that food redistribution charity, FareShare, will join its roster of partners.

This allows Nectar members to earn points by donating money to the charity – which redistributes surplus food to a network of 8,000 causes and community groups nationwide – and to donate Nectar points that can be converted into meals.

A £5 donation to FareShare, for example, can provide the equivalent of 25 hot evening meals for people experiencing homelessness, while £10 can help a community centre provide 50 nutritious meals for elderly people facing isolation.

The move builds on the existing collaboration between Sainsbury’s and FareShare, which sees the retailer donate surplus food to the charity to support people and communities in need.

Diversifying how members can earn and spend points within the programme, the partnership with FareShare will offer greater value and options to Nectar’s 24million members.

FareShare is a brilliant charity, and a great addition to the Nectar programme,” said Amir Rasekh, MD of Nectar360. “With every new partner we bring on board, we offer our customers more choice and more flexibility to earn and spend Nectar points.”

“Becoming part of the Nectar coalition is an exciting step,” Kris Gibbon-Walsh, CEO of FareShare, commented. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our work to millions of engaged Nectar members, helping raise awareness of our mission to get good-to-eat food to people who need it, rather than letting it go to waste.”